We’re at the end of months 2 of lockdown (here in the UK, at least), and it’s getting no easier. When it comes to music though, it’s worth noting that Bandcamp are trying to help by waiving fees on the first Friday of each month for the next few months, to help artists survive. So, here’s a few reviews that might give you new ideas of what to check out, including my current AOTY for Forlesen; melancholic black metal by Graveir; an EP of laid-back synthwave from Jaime Irles; Karnstein offering raw black/death/gothic metal; Koniec Pola taking us on an avant-garde adventure; and Resent bringing some nasty, filthy sludge. Enjoy!
Forlesen – Hierophant Violent
Label: Hypnotic Dirge Records
Given that it contains members of Lotus Thief, Kayo Dot, Botanist, and TSNTW favourites Palace of Worms, there’s high hopes for Hierophant Violent, the debut album from Forlesen. Such background means that expectations for a challenging, adventurous listen are probably fair, and Hierophant Violent meets them in superb style. Consisting of two lengthy tracks (each is almost twenty minutes long), the album is not afraid to takes its time, building up glorious psychedelic soundscapes before upending them with crushing, cathartic post-black metal. There’s as much Dead Can Dance as there is anything traditionally metal here, with all the emotional power that might imply. It is as nightmarish as it is beautiful, an album full of challenge in the an almost spiritual sense but also the promise of catharsis, that is practically flawless. When year-end lists come to be written, Hierophant Violent will surely deserve to be up there with the best of them. Incredible.
Graveir – King of the Silent World
Label: Impure Sounds
The exploration of melancholy and sorrow in black metal might typically be associated with its DSBM sub-genre, but Graveir demonstrate that it’s perfectly possible to combine more traditional second-wave inspired sounds with such misery. King of the Silent World is an album laced through with sorrowful yet strong melodies, brooding in the darkness as often as they explore with raw fury. There is a pensive feel throughout King of the Silent World, born from the way the album will so often move in unexpected directions (just check out the highly unusual rhythms in ‘Waiting…’ for a prime example); but it also maintains a contemplative air even at its most belligerent. It is music for accepting and embracing the darkness inherent in life, searching for an understanding of the pain and loss that is inevitable at some point in life. It is far from your typical black metal release, and all the better for it.
Jaime Irles – Cardanova EP
Label: Self-released
Leaning into the inherently retro-futuristic nature of synthwave, Cardanova from Jamie Irles is an EP that’s more chilled and downtempo that most in the genre, but still conjures up images of neon-lit nightlife in some distant city, the thrill of danger never far away. Heavy bass lines and haunting melodies are the stars of the show here, with the central melody to second track ‘The Wasteland’ being an earworm in particular. Closer ‘Naval’ would be more effective if it were a minute or two longer, but that complaint aside, Cardanova is a wonderful little EP that feels refreshing and invigorating, like a breath of fresh air or a moment of calm.
Karnstein – The Apocalypse Demo
Label: Self-released
With plans to record and release an EP scuppered due to real-world events that are ruining practically everyone’s plans that involve more than staying inside, Karnstein have tried to make the most of their time by home-recording a demo instead. The Apocalypse Demo, whilst having an inevitably rough sound, demonstrates that the trio have a lot of ideas and the talent to put them together. Drawing on horror themes as an analogy for real-life experiences as queer and/or disabled people, and pulling musical influence from the likes of Mayhem, Cradle of Filth, and My Dying Bride, The Apocalypse Demo is a vengeful blast of old-school metal, that fits equally within the gothic, black, and death metal genres. The end result is as reminiscent of Paradise Lost’s Gothic as it is the first two Celtic Frost records, that does exactly what a demo should, and has me looking forward to when the trio get to record their debut EP.
Koniec Pola – trop
Label: Devoted Art Propaganda
Koniec Pola are one of those delightful bands for whom genre doesn’t really exist in any useful term. As much an experimental folk band as they are post-black metal, trop follows in the footsteps of previous album Cy in that the only real descriptor that can be applied is “avant-garde”. Like that album, it taps into something dark, a sense of common dread and anxiety that is never far away from us all – whilst the record is thematically based around dreams, it would be more accurate to say it feels like a nightmare. Television static and field recordings are as much a part of trop as its riffs and melodies, and the contrast means that when Koniec Pola go all-in with the heavier side of their sound, the results are hair-raising and surprisingly cathartic. It’s also, for an avant-garde release, surprisingly accessible, with plenty of immediate thrills among its more challenging soundscapes and explorations.
Resent – Crosshairs
Label: Dry Cough Records /Nerve Altar /Rope Or Guillotine
Having a good day? You won’t be by the time Crosshairs is done. The debut album from Resent is a miserable 43 minutes of crawling, tar-drenched sludge, all feedback and damaged riffs, propelled along ever-so slowly by a sense of utter hatred and despair. Whilst it clearly draws a lot from the likes of Noothgroosh and Grief, Crosshairs somehow feels even dirtier and more miserable than you’d expect – which is saying a lot. Sure, there’s a kind of catharsis to be found here, a very real blood-letting of emotions and pain, but if you’re not already in the blackest of moods then it’s gonna absolutely ruin you. Which, y’know, is exactly as intended.